Plate clamp for printing machines



Dec. 29, 1936.

H. V. BALL El AL PLATE CLAMP FOR PRINTING MACHINES Fild Feb; 21, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet l Dec.29, 1936. A H-. v. BALL El AL v 2,066,192

' PLATE CLAMP 011 PRINTING MACHINES 1 i Filed Feb. 21, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 "FIG-5.

.37 I r r r J3 r 2 INVENTORS l .rw //4 A W v. BALL ET AL 2,066,192

PLATE CLAMP FOR PRINTINGflMACI-IINIEIS FiI Led Feb. 21, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4- as 84-- I 1 Patented Dec. 29, 1936 PATENT OFFICE PLATE CLAMP ron. PRINTING moms Harry V. Ball, Concord, Mara, and Frederick Lamatsch, Grantwood, N. ,L, auignors, by mesne assignments, to R. Hoe I; (20., Inc.. New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 21, 1934, No. 712.306

24 Claims. (Cl. 101378) This invention relates to plate clamping mechanism for rotary printing presses and more particularly to an improved clamping means having a removable actuating member for setting the clamping mechanism in a locked or unlocked position and in which the actuating member can only be removed when the clamping mechanism is in a locked position.

Various forms of plate locking devices have been devised which are adapted to be set in a locked or unlocked position by means ofa tool which is removable from the device aftereither the locked or unlocked position has been reached.

With such arrangements, it is possible for an operator to neglect to lock the plates before starting the machine, which condition would cause trouble.

According to the present invention an arrangement has. been provided whereby a tool used with the plate clamping device for locking the plates can be removed from the plate clamp actuating member, only when the said plates are in a locked position and when removed will also cause the plate clamping device to be locked in its set position. The actuating tool, therefore, will serve three distinct purposes, one to move the plate clamps into a locked or unlocked engagement with the printing plates, another to provide a signal for the operator if the said tool is not removed from the plate clamping device, and another to set a locking mechanism which will lock the plate clamping device in its set position.

The reference to a signal" is meant to signify. that when a tool is left in the clamping device, its exposed position will provide a signal or warning for the operator to lack the plate clamping mechanism and remove the tool before starting the machine in operation.

One object of the invention therefore is to provide an improved arrangement, whereby a, tool used to actuate a plate clamping device can only be removed when the plate clamps are in locked engagement with the printing plates.

Another object is to provide a means whereby the plate clamping device is positively locked in its clamped position after the actuating tool is removed.

A still further feature of the invention is to provide an arrangement whereby the tool, used to actuate the clamping device, may be automatically ejected regardless of whether it is in a position which corresponds with a locked plate or an unlocked plate.

Other features include the combination of a clamping mechanism which is adapted to apply an individual yielding pressure upon each plate clip or clamp by means of a single movement of an actuating member and the ease of application of the plate clamping mechanism to existing printing machines.

With the above and other objects not specifically referred to in view, the invention comprises certain novel arrangements which will be fully described in connection with the accompanying drawings and the novel features pointed out in the claims hereunto annexed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an end elevation of a printing cyli'nder with a part broken away showing a portion of the plate locking device in a locked position;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view looking at one end of the cylinder and showing a plate clamp in its locked position;

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken along line 3 of Figure 2:

Figure 4'is a section taken along the same line as Figure 3 but showing a continuing part of the clamping mechanism in clamping engagement with an inner plate;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view similar to Figure 2, but showing the plate clamp in an ope position;

6 is a vertical section taken along the line ,6 of Figure l with parts broken away and showing the parts in a plate locking position and an operating tool partially inserted within the holder;

Figure 7 is a sectional view similar to Figure 6 on an enlarged scale showing the position of the various parts after the tool is completely inserted within the holder;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan detail with parts broken away and partly in section, looking in the direction ofthe arrow 8 of Figure 1 and showing the tool and holder ina position corresponding withthe unlocked plate position;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan detail view similar to Figure 8 but. showing the parts in a posi- Figure 11 is a fragmentary plan view of the parts shown in Figure 10, looking in the direction of arrow Ii; 7 a

Figure enlarged fragmentary view similar to Figure 11 with parts shown in section and in a position corresponding with a locked. plate position;

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 12 with the parts in a position corresponding to an unlocked plate position; and

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 13 showing the position of the parts when the operating tool is being withdrawn.

Referring to Figures 1', 2, 3 and 4; the reference character |5 indicates a part of a printing or form cylinder and I6, |6a indicate stereotype plates mounted thereon at the end and intermediate portions thereof. a

The means for locking said plates l6, |5a to the printing cylinder |5 comprises outer and inner plate clamps I1 and i8, each having beveled edges IIa, |8a which are adapted to engage correspondingly beveled edges on the plates I6, Ilia. Said plate clamps are arranged so as to be quickly moved into engagement with the beveled edges of their respective plates, and after engagement therewith an additional spring pressure is applied which will provide a positive grip for the clamp over its entire plate engaging surface.

To provide for the above conditions the said outer plate clamp is adjustably mounted on a screw I9, formed as a part of a bar. 2|, which clamp is adapted to slide within ways 22 formed in the surface of the cylinder in the usual well known manner. The outer end of said bar is pro: vided with a reduced neck portion 23 and ahead 24. At the end of the cylinder, a cam block 25 is provided which has a cam slot 20 in the lower surface thereof and is also slidably mounted within the ways 22. At the opposite end of said cam block a recess 26 is provided and a slot 21 is provided in the wall 28 at the end thereof.

The head 24 of the bar 2| is adapted to fit freely within the recess 26 and the reduced neck portion 23 will fit freely within the slot 21 in such manner as to permit a slight longitudinal move ment of the bar in relation to the cam block. A washer 29 is also mounted on the neck portion 23 of the bar 2| and a heavy compression spring 3| is mounted over said bar between the washer 29 and a flange 32 on said bar. Openings 3|! are provided in the flange 32 in which a rod or other tool may be inserted to rotate the screw l9 and thereby provide an adjustment for the plate clamp 11.

A cam roller 33 is mounted on a pin 34, which pin is carried by a movable segment 35, as shown in Figures 1 and'3, said segment being guided in a recess 36 provided in supports 31, which supports are secured to the end face of the printing cylinder l5. A peripheral movement is given to said segment 35 in both a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction which movement causes the cam roller 33 to move through the path provided by the cam groove 20 and thus moves the cam block in a forward or backward direction, to clamp or release the printing plate. Portions indicated at 39 are cut away to clear the cam clamping position by the movement of the segment 35. Said segment is moved by means of a rocker arm 42 which is pivotally mounted upon a stud 43 secured to the support 31, as shown in Figures 1, 6 and 7, and has a socket 44 for the reception of an actuating tool 45.. A hub 41, projecting from the upper end of the rocker arm 42, extends through an arcuate slot 48 in the support and has a further reduced end 49 on which a roller 5| is mounted. A recess 50 is provided in the segment 35 to receive the roller 5|, and any movement of the rocker arm will cause a like movement of the segment 35. A guide bracket 52 is also provided which is secured to the support 31 and is shaped to form an outer guide wall 53 for the tool 45 and also has angularly disposed end walls 54 which provide stops to limit the that the movement of the rocker arm between the walls 54-54 of the guide bracket 52 is through a short arcuate path which thus provides for a quick locking action.

As previously stated one object of the invention is to provide means whereby the tool 45 can only be inserted or removed when the plate clamps l1, l8 are in locked engagement with the plates 5, I611. To satisfy this condition two pins have been provided in the rocker arm 42, an upper locking pin 55 and a lower pin 56 as shown in Figures 6 and 7, each of which pins has an enlarged head portion and a stem portion and are slidably mounted within counterbored recesses 58 and'59 respectively.

Another locking pin 6|, which cooperates with the lower pin 56, is slidably mounted in an opening 62 within the support 31 and comprises a main pin portion 63, a flange 84 and a stem 65. A compression spring 66 is tensioned between the flange 64 and a plug 61 in which plug, the end of the main pin portion 63 is also slidably mounted. The stem 65 therefore, of the pin 6| will normally be forced outward against the wall of the rocker arm 42 and when the said rocker arm is in the locked position, with the handle removed, the said stem 55 will project into the counterbore of the recess 59 to lock the said rocker arni from any further movement such as indicated in Figure 6.

A cam shaped recess 63 wi h an inclined surface is provided in the support 3 in the radial path of movement of the upper locking pin 55 as indicated in Figures 7, 8 and 9, and is so arranged that when the rocker arm-is in the locked plate position the deepest portion of the recess 68 is opposite the head of said pin 55 and will thereby permit said pin to be forced into the recess 58 when the tool 45 is being withdrawn.

The tool 45 is provided with two cavities 10-10 on opposite sides thereof, and a stop pin 59 is positioned within said tool with its ends extending beyond each side thereof. The extending ends of pin 69 accurately position the tool 45 when inserted within the socket 44, to bring a cavity I0 into alignment with stem of the locking pin 55.

When the plate clamps I! are in their locked pin 6|, as clearly shown in Figures 6 and "l.

While in this position-the operating tool 45 can either be inserted or withdrawn. Assuming that the said tool 45 is to be withdrawn from its actuating position, (Figure 7) the upward movement thereof will cause an inclined inner surface of one of the cavities 10 to force the locking pin 55 into the recess 68 in support 31 and also will cause the stem 65 of the spring tensioned locking pin 6| to be moved into locking engagement with the counterbore '59 as indicated in Figure 6. The rocker arm is thus locked and since the roller 5| on said rocker arm controls the position of the ring 35, the plate locking clamps will all be positively held in a platelocking position.

After a press operation has been completed and the printing plates are to be removed, the tool 45 is again inserted within the opening 44 in the rocker arm 42 and during its downward movement a beveled surface 12 at the end of the tool 45 will engage and force the stem of the pin 56 inward and thereby cause the head of said pin to engage and force the head of the pin 65 out of contact with the bore or recess 59 to release the stem 65 of the pin 6| from its locked engagement with the recess 59, such as shown in Figure 7.-

The rocker arm-42 is then free. to be moved by the tool 45, to the right as viewed in Figure l and thus cause the plate clamps H to be moved away from the printing plates Hi to permit said printing plates to be removed. During the latter movement, the rocker arm 42 will move from the position shown in Figure 9 to the position shown in Figure 8 and the pin 55 will be cammed out of the recess 68 as it is moved along the inclined surface H and then will move into locking engagement with the tool 45 as indicated in Figure 8. While in this position, the tool cannot be withdrawn and will thus serve as a signal for an operator signifying that the printing plates are in an unlocked position.

When the cam block 25. is moved inward by means of the movement of the roller 33 in engagement with the cam groove 20, the plate clamp I? .will have engaged the printing plate l6 through the movement of the bar 2| and will cause the flange 32 on the bar 2| to compress the spring 3|, to thus bring the said plate clamp under the tension of the spring. The head 24 on said bar 2| will then occupy a position within the recess 26 about as shown in Figure 3.

In Figure 4, a connection is shown which cooperates with the movement of the plate clamp H to move the inner plate clamp l8 into engagement with the inner plate Ilia, with the same pressure as that applied to the plate I6.

In Figures 10 to 14 an arrangement is shown whereby the tool 45 will be automatically ejected if the same should be left inserted in the rocker arm 42 when the press mechanism is started in operation. A safety device is thus provided to insure against oversight of an operator, who may possibly forget to look a plate or remove a tool: With the automatic ejecting device, a tool will be withdrawn from its socket immediately after the press is started and in falling, will produce a noise which will be heard by the operator as the tool strikes the floor, whereupon the operator will quickly stop the machine. Due to the small porshown oppositely to that shown in the tion of a revolution through which the plate cyl inder turns before the tool is ejected, no trouble. would be caused by unlocked plates since the said; plates have a normal gripping tension on the cylinder-and are also held thereagainst by the inking rollers, so they could only be thrown off by centrifugal force, and this would be insufficient until a higher speed of the machine was reached.

In the said Figures 10 to 14, only such parts have been shown which comprise the ejecting features but it will be understood that the plate clamping mechanism (not shown) will be similar to. that previously described. Such parts shown, which correspond with the parts previously described will be identified by the same reference characters with the suflix included. It is to be noted also that the position of the rocker arm in relation to the locked or unlocked position is previously described figures.

The mechanism included in Figures 10 to 14 comprises a rocker arm 42a, a tool 45a inserted therein and a guide bracket 52a which are carried by a support 31a in a manner similar to that previously described.

The mechanism for ejecting the tool 45a from the rocker arm 420., comprises a cam plate secured to a stationary member 8|, such as a part of the machine frame and positioned adjacent to v the end of the printing cylinder. A cam surface I 82 is provided on the upper edge of the cam plate and a roller or other projection 83-is provided at each side of the tool 4511. In the form of locking mechanism shown in Figures 10 to, 14, a spring blade 84 is mounted within a recess 85 in the support 35a one end of said spring being secured to the wall at the inner surface of the recess and its opposite end being bent outward into alignment with the surface-of the support 31a. When the rocker arm 42 is in a position which corresponds with the locked plate position such as viewed in Figures 10, 11 and 12, the locking pin 55a is free to slide into the recess 85 to thus permit the said tool to be easily withdrawn.

When said rocker arm 42 is in the opposite position, a position which corresponds with the unlocked plate position -such as in Figures 13 and 14, the free end of the spring blade 84 will hold the pin 55a in a locked engagement with the cavity Illa in the tool 35a.

If the press operation should be started at a time when the tool 45a is in the rocker arm 42, in either of the above described positions, the

same will be ejected after the roller 83 engages the cam 82, regardless of whether the said tool is in a locked or unlocked position, the ejecting force being sufficient to overcome the strength of the spring tension when in a locked position. The dotted line illustration of the plate 80, indicates its position for use with cylinders rotating in an opposite direction to that indicated .by the arrow. Said spring tension, however, will be sufiicient to prevent the manual withdrawal of a printing cylinder, of a manually controlled "member to actuate said clamps, a removable tool 1; cooperating therewith, means to prevent the withdrawal of said tool when the plate clamps are in an unlocked position, and means for locking the manually controlled member when the tool is withdrawn.

2. The combination of a plate holding cylinder having longitudinally movable plate clamps, a manually actuated rocker member to move said plate clamps to a plate locking position, a removable tool to operate said rocker member, and locking means cooperating with said rocker member and tool to permit the removal of the said tool only when the plate clamps are locked and to lock the rocker arm upon the removal of said handle.

\ 3. The combination of a plate holding cylinder having longitudinally movable plate clamps thereon engaging the edge of a plate adjacent the end of the cylinder, means to simultaneously move all of said clamps to a clamping position, aspring tensioned follow up member on each individual clamp, a rocker member cooperating with the simultaneously movable means, a removable tool to actuate said rocker member, and slidable means carried by the said rocker member to prevent the withdrawal of said tool by. releasable engagement therewith when the plate clamps are unlocked.

4. The combination of a plate holding cylinder having longitudinally movable plate clamps thereon, means to simultaneously move all of said clamps to a clamping position and a spring tensioned follow up member on each individual clamp, a rocker member cooperating with the simultaneously movable means, a removable tool to actuate said rocker member, means to prevent the withdrawal of said tool when the plate clamps are unlocked, and means to lock the rocker member when the tool is withdrawn.

5. The combination of a plate holding cylinder having longitudinally movable plate clamps thereon, a peripherally movable segment arranged to move the plate clamps into or out of a plate clamping position, a manually actuated rocker member to actuate said movable segment, a removable tool to actuate said rocker member, and locking means cooperating with said rocker member and tool to permit the removal of said tool only when the plate clamps are in locked engage-' ment with the plate.

6. The combination of a plate holding cylinder having longitudinally movable plate clamps thereon, a peripherally movable segment arranged to move the plate clamps into or out of a plate clamping Dosition,-a manually actuated rocker member to actuate said movable segment, a removable tool to actuatesaid rocker member, and locking means cooperating with said rocker member and tool to permit the removal of said tool only when the plate clamps are in locked engagement with the plate, and means to lock the rocker arm upon the removal of said handle.

7. The combination of aplate holding cylinder having longitudinally movable plate clamps engaging the edge of a plate adjacent the end of the cylinder, a peripherally movable segment having an annularly disposed flange extending longitudinally over said cylinder end, cam rollers mounted on the periphery of said segment beneath said flange, cam blocks, disposed beneath said flange and engaged and actuated by said cam rollers, a yieldable connection between said cam blocks and. plate clamps, and a manually actuated member to actuate said peripherally movable segment.

8. The combination of a plate holding cylinder having longitudinally movable plate clamps, a peripherally movable segment, cam rollers mounted on the periphery of said segment, cam blocks engaged and actuated by said cam rollers, a yieldab-le connection between said cam blocks and plate clamps, a rocker arm connected in driving relation with said peripherally movable segment, a removable tool to actuate said rocker arm, and locking means cooperating with said rocker arm and tool to permit the removal of the said tool only when the plate clamps are locked and to lock the rocker arm upontheremoval of said tool.

9. The combination of a plate holdingcyllnder having longitudinally movable plate clamps, a manually actuated rocker member to move said plate clamps to a plate locking position, a removable tool for said rocker member, anda slidable pin cooperating with said rocker member to prevent the withdrawal of the tool when the plate clamps are unlocked. l

10. The combination of a plate holding cylinder having longitudinally movable plate clamps, a manually actuated rocker member to move said plate clamps to a plate locking position, a-removable tool for said rocker member, a slidable pin.

cooperating with said rocker member to prevent the withdrawal of the tool when the plate clamps. are unlocked, and a spring tensioned member to lock the rocker member when the tool is withdrawn.

11. The combination of a plate holding cylinpder having longitudinally movable plate clamps thereon, a manually actuated rocker member to move said plate clamps to and from a plate clamping position, a support for said rocker member, a removable tool for said rocker member, a spring tensioned pin in said support, and a. slidable pin in said rocker member, said pins adapted to cooperate with the tool, one pin to ed. within the support adapted to engage the rocker arm to lock same in its set position after the tool is withdrawn. I

13. An arrangement for actuating and locking plate clamps to' a printing cylinder, comprising a rocker arm, a support for said rocker arm and a removable tool to actuate said arm, a pin slidably mounted within said arm adapted to engage .a cavity in the tool and be locked therein when the tool is in an unlocked plate position and adapted to be cammed outward into a recess in the support when the tool is in a locked plate position.

I4. An arrangement for actuating and locking plate clamps to a printing cylinder, comprising a -rocker arm, a support for said rocker arm and a removable tool to actuate said rocker arm, two pins slidably mounted within said arm, one pin cooperating with a recess in the support and a cavity in the tool to release and locksaid tool when in a plate clamped or unclamped position respectively, and another pin cooperating with a spring tensioned pin in said support to lock the rocker arm when the tool is removed.

15. In combination with a mechanism for locking printing plates on a printing cylinder, a manually movable member to actuate said mechanism, a removable tool cooperating therewith, and means for automatically ejecting the tool from said manually movable member when the printing cylinder is rotated.

16. In combination with a mechanism for locking printing plates on a printing cylinder, a manually actuated rocker arm carried by said cylinder, a removable tool in operating engagement with said rocker arm, a roller on said tool, and a cam member positioned in the path of said roller, whereby, upon the rotation of said printing cylinder, the cam member will be engaged by the roller and the tool will be ejected from the rocker arm. v

17. In combination with a mechanism for looking printing plates on a printing cylinder, a support on said cylinder and a rocker arm pivotally mounted upon said support, a removable actuating tool for said rocker arm, a flat spring member positioned within a recess in the support, and a pin slidably mounted in the rocker arm, said pin being adapted to be held in locked engagement with a cavity in the tool when the spring member engages same to prevent the tool from being manually withdrawn when the printing plates are unlocked and also being adapted to be positioned out of contact with said tool when the printing plates are in a locked position to permit said tool to be withdrawn.

18. In combination with a mechanism for look-- ing printing plates on a printing cylinder, a support on said cylinder and a rocker arm pivotally mounted upon said support, a removable actuating tool for said rocker arm, a flat spring member positioned within a recess in the support and a pin slidably mounted in the rocker arm, said pin being adapted to cooperate 'with the spring and recess to yieldably lock the tool. in the rocker arm when the plates are in an unlocked position and to release said tool for withdrawal when the plates are in a locked position, a cam plate positioned adjacent said cylinder, and a member on said tool adapted to be engaged by said cam to eject the tool when the cylinder is rotated.

19. The, combination of a plate holding cylinder having longitudinally movable plate clamps engaging the edge of a plate adjacent the end of the cylinder, a peripherally movable segment, cam rollers mounted on the periphery of said segment, cam blocks engaged and actuated by said cam roller, a yieldable connection between said cam blocks and plate clamps, and means-whereby the position of each clamp and yieldable conable plate clamps thereon, means to simultaneously move all of said clamps to a plate clamping position, a rockable member to operate said plate moving means, a tool freely movable into association with said rockable member to actuate the same, and means associated with said rockable member to resist but not prevent the removal of said tool when the plate clamps are in unclamped position.

22. The combination of a plate holding cylinder having a plurality of longitudinally movable plate clamps thereon, means to simultaneously move all of said clamps to a plate clamping position, a rockable member to operate said plate moving means, means to lock said rockable member in one position, a tool movable into association with said rockable member to unlock and to actuate the same, and means carried by said rockable member to resist the removal of said tool when the plate clamps are in unclamped position.

23. The combination of a plate holding cylinder having a longitudinally movable plate clamp thereon, means to move said clamp into plate clamping position, a rocker member cooperating with said clamp moving means to actuate the same, a removable operating member engaging said rocker member to actuate it, and freely slidable means carried by one of said members and engageable by the other to resist the removal'of said operating member when said clamp is in plate unclamping position.

24. The combination of a plate holding cyl- HARRY V. BALL. FREDERICK LAMATS CH. 

